Lei Day in Hawaii

Since 1928, May Day has been Lei Day in Hawaii. On Oahu, the celebration is centered at Kapiolani park. The festival is a day long affair and is free. Popular local entertainers held the attention of the large crowd. All of the seating around the bandstand was filled. Picnics blanketed much of the surrounding shaded area.
Locals and visitors alike took it all in. The colors were spectacular. Cameras often changed hands. Everyone seemed they had to be recorded as there.
Entries for the lei competition numbered 152. Festival goers lined up all day to view the entries. The artistic creations alone made this event a special experience. There are several divisions, categories and methods used for the contest. All ages were invited to submit entries.
This year, an attempt to create the worlds longest fresh flower lei was made. The goal was set at over a mile long. The lei was lifted by volunteers who formed a large circle around Kapiolani park. Photographs were taken from a helicopter showing how enormous this effort was. After the ariel pictures had been taken, the lei was placed on the ground and then measured. Two notaries carefully documented the measuring. Nearing the end of the measuring it was evident that the lei would not be as long as hoped. Some flowers had fallen off during handling and these areas could not be counted. A plea went out to the crowds and many responded by giving up their personal leis to be added to the project. In the end, the final measurement was 6336 ft. That number was submitted to Guinness and acceptance is expected in two weeks.
The Hawaiian steel guitar association provided additional entertainment. A tented area with seating attracted an overflow. A constant cool breeze kept audiences comfortable as they enjoyed the casual atmosphere.
Hawaiian craft exhibits, demonstrations, and food vendors rounded out an experience to remember.